Please Welcome Elizabeth P. Lord-Levitt to TD Magazine

                            All photos courtesy of Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design LLC

 

We are excited to introduce a new contributing writer to our Technology Designer Magazine team. Elizabeth, Principal Designer at Elizabeth P. Lord Residential Design LLC is a CMKBD and CLIPP certified designer with a graduate degree in real estate and construction management. Her first article (below) appears in the Spring 2024 issue of TD Magazine.

Final Thoughts

By Elizabeth P. Lord-Levitt

With almost 20 years in the residential design and construction industry, I have seen trends come and go. From taupe paint colors and red accent walls to espresso hardwood stains, to the infamous grey cabinet trend of 2020. But there is one trend that isn’t going out of style anytime soon, and that’s the integration of technology into residential interior design projects. When designing a space, smart home integration is often an afterthought.

Designers tend to feel overwhelmed by the concept and choose to focus more on the aesthetics of a space over the functionality of a space. That mindset is only hindering the usability for the end-user and ultimately their satisfaction with the final deliverable. We as interior designers need to understand the importance of how to integrate it into our designs and how it can impact our client’s quality of life for the better.

After attending Technology Designer’s Day of Discovery™ 2023 at CEDIA Expo, it became abundantly clear to me that I was lacking valuable knowledge in the smart home technology space. With many of my clients being young tech savvy homeowners, I was doing them a disservice by not informing them of all the technology that would be applicable for their project. These clients are investing in their biggest investment, their homes. They look to us as their advisors and advocates, with the hopes that we are providing all the available design options for them to make educated decisions about their project and their investment. Many of these clients want their homes to work for their way of life and ultimately make their lives easier. This may include voice activated features, room scenes that interact with the time of day, and overall health benefits, in addition to being beautifully designed with intention.

With CEDIA and Day of Discovery approaching, I feel it’s vital for interior designers to take advantage of the learning opportunities provided by attending these events. Having basic level knowledge of residential technology and its benefits will not only differentiate an interior designer’s service offerings but will help them create a built environment that is beautifully designed, functional and efficient for their client. Being able to articulate and understand smart home integration will instill a sense of trust with clients and that a designer has their best interest at the forefront of the design process. Once the smart home wants and needs for the project are established, partnering with a certified smart home integration firm will elevate a designer’s projects and client experiences.

Smart home technology isn’t a trend, it’s a new way of living.